A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIOLOGICAL CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF CYBERCRIME (YAHOO-YAHOO) IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Cybercrime is now one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria, especially the youths socially and economically. The uptick of Internet fraud or what is popularly referred to as Yahoo-Yahoo by youths in Rivers State has raised concerns on its impact on the socioeconomic development of the State, public confidence and national security. The study critically analyzed the Sociological aspects of Cybercrime in Rivers State, Nigeria and its implications. In particular, the study examined the impact of economic pressures, peer pressure, unemployment, poverty and collapse of traditional social structure on the prevalence of cybercrime. The study was a survey research with respondents sampled from the selected Local Government Areas in Rivers State. Data were collected from a structured questionnaire and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results showed that the factors of economic hardship, unemployment, peer influence, poverty, and the reduction of social control mechanisms have a significant influence on youth entering into cybercrime. The study also revealed that cybercrime has a negative effect on socioeconomic development because it discourages investment, affects Nigeria's international image, decreases confidence in electronic transactions, makes Nigeria lose out finances and brings moral decadence to youths. The study concludes that cybercrime is a problem of a sociological nature, which can only be solved with multidimensional approaches, not only law enforcement. It calls for all encompassing youth employment programmes, better laws against cybercrime, value reorientation, cyber ethics education, better parental supervision and better co-operation between government agencies, educational institutions, religious organizations and community leaders in combating cybercrime.